Photo: Gcardinal101 · CC BY 4.0FEMA expects more hazard damage per building in Charles City than in 92% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charles City gets a D for hazard risk: higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%), then tornadoes (10%). Flood insurance has paid 157 claims here since 1979.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What stands out about Charles City’s natural hazards
From FEMA’s model and FEMA’s records, below.
What Charles City faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Charles City’s grade
River and rain flooding is 86% of the building damage FEMA expects in Charles City, and Charles City’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 10%, at a rate in the top 1% of U.S. census tracts.
D #139 of 140 in Iowa; higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns (21,298).
Charles City’s residents live in 3 census tracts; FEMA’s figures are combined by where they live.
The typical Iowa town has lower expected damage than 57% of U.S. towns; within the state, Charles City has more expected damage per building than 99% of Iowa towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $5.2M a year in losses across Charles City: $4.1M to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Charles City flood? Yes: 157 flood claims since 1979
Every paid claim on a federal flood insurance policy in Charles City, from FEMA’s records: 42.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of the 13,809 U.S. towns with a flood insurance record.
- The Storm80 claims · $2.9M
- The Midwest Flooding8 claims · $68K
- The June Midwest Flooding5 claims · $39K
Charles City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9) for its flood-proofing work.
Insurance rates: Floyd County.7 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Charles City
Disasters that paid out in Charles City itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Charles City), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2024Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes$78K to the City of Charles City for repairs5 flood claims paid that year
- 2016Severe Storms and Flooding$181K to the City of Charles City for repairs12 flood claims paid that year
- 2013Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding$32K to the City of Charles City for repairs
- 2008Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding386 households applied for aid$1.1M aid approved$2.8M to the City of Charles City for repairs81 flood claims paid that year
- 2007Severe Winter Storms$42K to the City of Charles City for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding14 households applied for aid$19K aid approved$26K to the City of Charles City for repairs4 flood claims paid that year
Show all 7
- 1999Severe Storms and Flooding$162K to the City of Charles City for repairs37 flood claims paid that year
Floyd County has had 17 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Charles City after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Charles City archive →Get ready for what Charles City faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
- Charles City residents get 05% off flood insurance.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Charles City
Is Charles City at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Charles City has higher expected damage per building than 92% of U.S. towns: D for hazard risk. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (86%) and tornadoes (10%). This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Does Charles City flood?
Flood insurance has paid 157 claims in Charles City since 1979, $3.5M in all, or 42.4 per 1,000 homes, more than 91% of U.S. towns with a flood insurance record. 16 properties have flooded more than once. The most claims came from Storm (80).
Is Charles City in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Floyd County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 1.1% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Charles City?
Charles City is in FEMA’s Community Rating System (class 9), which takes 05% off federal flood insurance policies for its flood-proofing work. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Charles City?
By FEMA money that reached Charles City, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2008): 386 households applied for aid, $1.1M approved, and $2.8M to the City of Charles City for repairs. By flood claims, Storm: 80 paid, $2.9M.
Is Charles City at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (86%), and Charles City’s rate for it is in the top 4% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Charles City.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Charles City’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.